Larvae of Australian Gomphomacromiinae and their Bearing on the Status of the Synthemis Groupof Genera (Odonata: Corduliidae)

Abstract

The descriptive information available on the larvae of the Australian Gomphomacromiinae is summarized. The larvae of Austrocordulia leonardi Theischinger, A. refracta Tillyard, Hesperocordulia berthoudi Tillyard, Lathrocordulia metallica Tillyard, and ?Pseudocordulia sp. are briefly redescribed and refigured. The larvae of Apocordulia macrops Watson, Archaeophya adamsi Fraser, A. magnifica Theischinger & Watson, Austrocordulia territoria Theischinger & Watson, Austrophya mystica Tillyard, Micromidia atrifrons (McLachlan) and of a possibly new species of Micromidia (Micromidia sp. 'l') are described for the first time. The known larvae of the Australian Gomphomacromiinae are keyed. Two groups are recognized in the Gomphomacromiinae, the larvae of the Gomphomacromia group (including Gomphomacromia, Archaeophya and ?Pseudocordulia) having strongly synthemistid facies whereas those of the Oxygastra group (including the other genera of Gomphomacromiinae) are more typically corduliid; the venation of the adults also differs. Synthemis and its allies are, therefore, relegated to subfamilial status in the Corduliidae, adjacent to the Gomphomacromia group.